In an address at the October 1989 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson, then second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of a business that had a sign by the front door: "It's the Service That Counts."
President Monson said: "The message from the small sign simply would not leave my mind. Suddenly I realized why. In actual fact it is the service that counts - the Lord's service."All of us admire and respect that noble king of Book of Mormon fame - even King Benjamin. How respected he must have been for the people to gather in such great numbers to hear his words and receive his counsel. I think it most interesting that the multitude `pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.' (Mosiah 2:6.) Even a high tower had to be erected that the people might hear his words.
"In the true humility of an inspired leader, King Benjamin recounted his desire to serve his people and lead them in paths of righteousness. He then declared to them:
" `Because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
" `And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.' (Mosiah 2:16-17.)
"This is the service that counts - the service to which all of us have been called, the service of the Lord Jesus Christ."